Topic: The Quest for Brakes and Suspension: GSX-R Treats

[Terry in Australia]

That starter clutch thing is weird Seth, I've had over 20 CB750's over the past 36 years and I've not had a problem with the actual gears. I did have a bad starter motor that made some horrible noises when I was riding the bike, while barely able to turn over my stock F2 engine, but nothing like you've described?

I hate Valvoline oil in bikes. I had all the same problems you've described the one time that I used it in my Z1, the clutch was either "on" or "off", with nothing in between, I either had to rev it up and wheelie away, or stall it, and there was no way I could find neutral. I dumped that crap out and refilled it with some cheaper Mobil oil, and never had that problem again.

Change your oil Seth, and I bet the problem goes away. Cheers, Terry.    

[Syscrush]

It's looking just great.  Some of these 750 builds are making me question my preference for the 550.

I can shift just fine through the gears while running, but finding neutral is damn near impossible. With the bike shut off, no problemo.

I've had a few bikes that didn't want to go into neutral if the idle speed was set above a certain threshold.  On my wife's M620, if the idle is above 1500RPM, it just won't go into neutral with the bike stopped and the clutch pulled in.

This can be exacerbated during testing/shakedown riding, because the engine doesn't have the chance to get up to temp, so you're more likely to have the choke on and have a higher idle speed.  Before you go making clutch changes, try letting it warm right up, and dial the idle speed down a bit and see what effect that has (if any).

[sethdhawkins]

That starter clutch thing is weird Seth, I've had over 20 CB750's over the past 36 years and I've not had a problem with the actual gears. I did have a bad starter motor that made some horrible noises when I was riding the bike, while barely able to turn over my stock F2 engine, but nothing like you've described?

I hate Valvoline oil in bikes. I had all the same problems you've described the one time that I used it in my Z1, the clutch was either "on" or "off", with nothing in between, I either had to rev it up and wheelie away, or stall it, and there was no way I could find neutral. I dumped that crap out and refilled it with some cheaper Mobil oil, and never had that problem again.

Change your oil Seth, and I bet the problem goes away. Cheers, Terry.

Thanks, Terry. I think I'll probably give her a drain, as I need to modify my oil drain line anyway. I may try some bel-ray that my buddy gets in bulk. All the local vintage triumph guys seem to love it.
The starter issue is annoying. I'll see if it does it again. If so, I'm gonna replace everything I can get my hands on...it's such a terrible sound, and not one that should ever emanate from a motorcycle.

Seth

[sethdhawkins]

It's looking just great.  Some of these 750 builds are making me question my preference for the 550.

I can shift just fine through the gears while running, but finding neutral is damn near impossible. With the bike shut off, no problemo.

I've had a few bikes that didn't want to go into neutral if the idle speed was set above a certain threshold.  On my wife's M620, if the idle is above 1500RPM, it just won't go into neutral with the bike stopped and the clutch pulled in.

This can be exacerbated during testing/shakedown riding, because the engine doesn't have the chance to get up to temp, so you're more likely to have the choke on and have a higher idle speed.  Before you go making clutch changes, try letting it warm right up, and dial the idle speed down a bit and see what effect that has (if any).

Have no fear, I'll only be changing the oil first Thanks for the kind words!

[Syscrush]

Have no fear, I'll only be changing the oil first Thanks for the kind words!

Good luck!

[sethdhawkins]

Don, I stole your fender idea, and ordered an alloy fender from:
http://7metalwest.com/motorcycle_parts.html. Thanks for the link in your build (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132734). I'll mount it with some 1/4" round bar and a few bungs I have leftover. Thinking it'll be polished with black struts.

Seth

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Don, I stole your fender idea, and ordered an alloy fender from:
http://7metalwest.com/motorcycle_parts.html. Thanks for the link in your build (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132734). I'll mount it with some 1/4" round bar and a few bungs I have leftover. Thinking it'll be polished with black struts.

Seth

That's cool.  I like the idea of it polished with black struts.  I'll be leaving mine brushed to match my tank and seat.

[sethdhawkins]

Those "stock" rear fenders he's producing would make a very subtle and cool upgrade to stockish cafe. I wish my 450 hadn't had the seat hinges cut off before I received it, or that would be my direction.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Those "stock" rear fenders he's producing would make a very subtle and cool upgrade to stockish cafe. I wish my 450 hadn't had the seat hinges cut off before I received it, or that would be my direction.

More food for thought on the stockish 550.

[sethdhawkins]

Those "stock" rear fenders he's producing would make a very subtle and cool upgrade to stockish cafe. I wish my 450 hadn't had the seat hinges cut off before I received it, or that would be my direction.

More food for thought on the stockish 550.

Agreed.

[sethdhawkins]

I do not even have words

And a cb550 tank that's gonna be pretty sick:


I'm impressed. He says the tins look phenomenal. Word just came down the pike that I'll be moving my shop again. My painter friend (guy who did this) and my other buddy are gonna do a full blown hot rod shop with over 5k square feet. They're going to allow me a little honorary space in the corner to keep building bikes. I'm stoked.

[Terry in Australia]

That's beautiful paint Seth, your friend does good work! Cheers, Terry.

[sethdhawkins]

Many thanks, Terry!

[sethdhawkins]

....and I have another motorcycle!

[Syscrush]

Your tank looks so great, I'm not even gonna razz you about the Ural.

That other gold metalflake 550 tank is a thing of beauty, too.

[sethdhawkins]

Your tank looks so great, I'm not even gonna razz you about the Ural.

That other gold metalflake 550 tank is a thing of beauty, too.

Thanks! Surprisingly, those Urals are about as much fun on three wheels, as I've had with my pants on. I'm gonna flog the #%^* out of it all summer, and if it blows, I'll re-power it or put the car on a new Bonnie.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

....and I have another motorcycle!

I'd love a side car to take the dog out for rides.

[sethdhawkins]

[/quote]

I'd love a side car to take the dog out for rides.
[/quote]

I got it cheap, so I'm not that worried. More importantly Don, how do ya like that paint?!?!

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I'd love a side car to take the dog out for rides.
[/quote]

I got it cheap, so I'm not that worried. More importantly Don, how do ya like that paint?!?!
[/quote]

I'm kind of jealous.  I not nuts about the Chinese flag motif -- I'd dig it more with a vintage WWII allied paint job -- but it's clean and I wouldn't throw it out of my garage! 

I freakin' love the old school lace job on you 750.  Really cool. 

What's on your TO DO list?  This bike is my front runner for a future BOTM.

[sethdhawkins]

I just have to finish one more week of shoving around barges filled with petroleum, and I can assemble the thing. Maybe a day of work, if I'm using the bench seat...a little longer on the cowl, as I have to glass a seat pan.

[Terry in Australia]

Hey Seth, you bought a Urinal! They're becoming popular here in Oz, but are woefully underpowered, or at least the older ones were?

I thought about buying one and shoe-horning a BMW R100 engine and gearbox into one to give it a bit more grunt and up the reliability somewhat, but never got around to it, too many projects, and too little time.

Have fun on that thing, and be careful riding it near any redneck bars, or NRA meetings..........

[sethdhawkins]

Your mind is in the gutter along with mine! I've got an R100 motor sitting in the cobwebs. I'm not sure if it's financially responsible to do the bmw swap, as the tranny needs attention when you go to that kinda hp. I may just steal the sidecar off it at the end of the summer. We shall see.

[Terry in Australia]

No worries mate, and considering that the Urinal engine is a simple device, there's probably plenty of scope for simple head/carb/exhaust work to give it a bit more pep, if you think it needs it. I reckon it'll be a real fun bike this summer, enjoy! Cheers, Terry.

[mrbreeze]

I just ran across this after noticing GSX-R in the title.With 50 pages in the last 6 months....you woulda thought I'd have noticed it!! I checked out the first few pages and saw some cool stuff and I will be back to read more later. I have some GSX-R stuff inherited from Mick in Australia (Retro). He bought 89 GSX-R 1100 front end parts and only wanted the tubes sent to him (crazy high shipping from States to down under). So I have the complete triple tree, clip-ons, & front axle with speedo drive. I can't remember if its 42 or 43mm tube size. After seeing it on your bike I'm half tempted to keep these parts for a future project......they look great on your bike....more beefy.
So what are these parts worth (cash or trading items)? I will put up pics in a few minutes. I have to resize them.

[mrbreeze]

If I decide to keep em....what else beside forks would I need to make the swap? Specific wheels,brakes,spacers,etc.,etc. What is involved in the stem swap and cost?